Chapter 270: Winter Has Come (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 270: Winter Has Come (1)
The day after the engagement, I found myself with little to do.
With the ceremony concluded and the news soon to spread across the Central Plains, my only remaining task was to return to my clan.
This trip wasn't too long.
Aside from lingering a few extra days at the Namgung Clan, the journey had been brief—just under a week. Compared to my other travels, it was remarkably short.
My business was finished: the engagement was settled, and the matter of the Namgung Clan’s treasure had been resolved. With no reason to stay, I began packing my belongings. It was time to return to the Gu Clan.
Namgung Jin saw me off with shining, pleading eyes, but I pretended not to notice. Who knew what trouble I’d find if I stayed any longer? Though he had gained enlightenment, he couldn’t stop me—he could only watch with a pitiful expression.
As for Namgung Cheonjun, he seemed relieved by my departure. Yet, the Demonic Qi still clouded his mind, leaving him visibly confused. Drunk on the power it granted, he kept pestering me, asking if he could use it again. I finally ordered him to press his forehead to the ground until I left. Let the clan punish him for failing to send off a guest properly; it was no concern of mine. I had no desire to see the bastard’s face.
‘Outside… Moyong Hi-ah said she would be waiting for me.’
She’d informed me she would wait beyond the Namgung Clan grounds rather than enter. It seemed she intended to leave with me. Had she really come to Anhui just to handle clan affairs?
What a busy girl.
Despite her condition, Moyong Hi-ah was still entrusted with important duties. It seemed her path would not be an easy one.
But first…
Setting that aside, I wanted to return to the Gu Clan as quickly as possible. I needed to recover my strength and solidify my plans. The words left to me by the Thunderous Sword, Namgung Myung, also gave me much to ponder.
“Are you sure you don’t need to stay?” I asked Namgung Bi-ah, who stood beside me.
Whether it was because of the engagement ceremony or not, I felt closer to her now. To be precise, she visited me more often.
She tilted her head, looking puzzled, as though she didn’t understand my question. “Hmm…?”
“I’m asking if it’s alright for you to come with me.” This was the Namgung Clan, after all, and as a blood relative, she didn’t necessarily have to return to the Gu Clan.
In response, Namgung Bi-ah simply shook her head. “…This isn’t… my home.”
“Then, is my house your home?” Since when had the Gu Clan become her home?
Again, she shook her head, correcting me. “No.”
“Hmm?”
“You.”
“Huh…?”
“…You are my home…”
That was all she said.
“…”
Her words felt like a confession, and for a moment, I was speechless. “Oh… um…” I racked my brain like a madman, searching for a response, but nothing came to mind. “…Um… I see.” The reply was utterly lame.
Even after all these years, I was still weak in situations like this. How ironic.
…Ugh.
I couldn’t begin to imagine what Elder Shin would say if he were here. Nothing positive, certainly.
“Is there nothing you wish to learn from the Lord?” I asked, changing the subject.
“Hmm?” It was a personal question.
As part of my deal with Namgung Jin—who had gained enlightenment—he had agreed to teach Namgung Bi-ah what he had learned. If she stayed, she could learn from a Fusion Realm master, and a member of the Namgung Clan at that. Yet she showed no interest.
“I don’t need it.”
“Is that so?” It was a rare opportunity. Why would she refuse without even hearing the details?
As I wondered, Namgung Bi-ah responded firmly, “…I… know the path.”
She knew her own path, so she needed no one else’s teachings.
How arrogant.
It was an extremely arrogant thing to say. Though talented, she was still a young prodigy. Even at the Peak Realm, there were always those stronger. To dismiss a master’s guidance was sheer arrogance…
And yet, it wasn’t.
Considering her future talent and the fact that she would earn the title of Sword Queen despite being a Demonic Human—even destroying her own clan, though the Heavenly Venerable was absent at the time—she had the talent to back her words.
I suppose it’s fine?
There was no point in interfering with her decision, so I said nothing. I simply nodded. If that was her choice, I would respect it.
“…What will you do… once you return?” This time, it was Namgung Bi-ah who asked the question. How refreshing—she almost never asked me anything.
“Once I return?” What would I do when I got back to the Gu Clan?
I have no time.
By the time I arrived, autumn would be ending, and winter would soon follow.
…Winter, huh.
I would have to go to the Heavenly Dragon Academy once winter came, so the short span between autumn and winter left little room for action.
“…I suppose I’ll train?” Head to the Wudang Sect, find the Monster of Wudang, or locate the White Demonic Stone and absorb it… I had many plans, but no time to carry them out. For now, it seemed too difficult.
Namgung Bi-ah fell into thought at my response. “…Okay. I understand.” She nodded as though she had realized something.
Lame.
There is one thing, though.
There was one thing I hadn’t told Namgung Bi-ah: I needed to go down to the basement.
It seems I have something to check after all…
It was a place I would never visit, even in death, but I had no choice. Some things could only be learned by going there myself.
And if there was one thing I prayed for…
It’s that Elder Shin needs to wake up.
I could only hope he would awaken before winter arrived. I wanted to see him, yes, but I also felt he owed me some help regarding Namgung Myung.
The Iron Fist as well…
Since the Thunderous Sword had mentioned the Iron Fist, Elder Shin might know something too.
So please, wake up.
I wanted to know what had happened to him—what kept him unconscious.
“You seem to have finished your preparations.”
While I was talking with Namgung Bi-ah, Lady Mi approached. My father wasn’t with her; he had likely been speaking with Namgung Jin.
“Yes. The servants worked hard,” I replied. In truth, they had packed my belongings, not me.
“Indeed. The children always work hard.” Lady Mi nodded, then turned to Namgung Bi-ah instead of me. She straightened the girl’s slightly disheveled outfit.
“Ah… Thank… you.”
“It wouldn’t do for your clothes to be messy when you’re outside.”
“I’m sorry…”
“Now that you will soon be part of our family, you must be more mindful of such things.”
…You don’t have to go that far.
I clicked my tongue inwardly. Unlike Namgung Bi-ah, I didn’t care about my appearance, so I had nothing to say. When was the last time I wore ordinary clothes? Probably during the engagement ceremony.
As I lost myself in thought, Namgung Bi-ah seemed to tense up at Lady Mi’s words.
What was wrong with her?
…Is she bothered by being called a member?
Perhaps it was because Lady Mi referred to her as a future member of the Gu Clan, but Namgung Bi-ah’s posture became even more rigid than usual. She already stood properly in front of my father and Lady Mi, but now it was extreme.
After fixing Namgung Bi-ah’s hair and brushing off her clothes, Lady Mi turned and headed toward her carriage. As she passed me, her eyes swept from my head to my toes. I gulped nervously. I never knew what she was thinking, but this time…
…It didn’t seem positive.
It just felt that way. Not that it mattered—I knew Lady Mi wasn’t particularly fond of me.
Once she boarded her carriage, I waited a little longer until I saw my father approaching from a distance, accompanied by Namgung Jin. Just as I’d thought, they had been talking.
“I greet the Lord.”
“I greet… the Lord.”
I bowed to Namgung Jin, and Namgung Bi-ah bowed to my father.
“Are you all prepared?” my father asked.
“Yes.”
He nodded. All the while, Namgung Jin’s gaze bore into me, so uncomfortable that I did my best to avoid it.
“It was good to see you again. I hope we meet next time under favorable circumstances.”
“…Yes, in a good light, I hope…”
“Indeed.”
“…”
His emphasized words left me feeling bloated. His eyes, though, were clearer than before. His enlightenment was clearly significant.
Then Namgung Jin turned his gaze to Namgung Bi-ah. The way he looked at his daughter was still somewhat strange…
“…Have a safe journey.”
But he seemed better than before. Had his newfound clarity given him more peace? Not that I cared enough to dwell on it.
“…”
Namgung Bi-ah paused at his words, then slowly nodded. Her eyes held a touch of awkwardness.
Soon after, she boarded the carriage, and I followed. The moment I sat down, she leaned her head against my shoulder, as if she’d been waiting. By now, I was used to it.
“We will begin moving.”
“Alright.”
As soon as I replied to the horseman,
Neigh!
The horses stirred. Only then did I truly feel the engagement ceremony had ended.
Time passed, and autumn drew to a close, giving way to the slow onset of winter.
A woman packed her belongings, feeling the chill breeze. She took only a few outfits and a single, worn-out sword. That was all she needed—anything more would only slow her down.
“…”
As she packed, she stretched out a pale hand and opened a drawer. Inside lay a hair accessory shaped like a sun. It was something she used to clutch while sleeping; there were nights she couldn’t sleep without it. A cheap trinket, bought with spare change from a street vendor…
“…”
Yet she picked it up carefully and tucked it into her pocket. It was the most important thing she owned.
With her meager packing done, she stepped outside. The midnight air was cold, the sky dark and sunless, but she paid it no mind. She began to walk, eager to reach her destination as soon as possible.
Just as she set out with calm determination,
“You’re leaving already?”
Pause.
A voice halted her steps. She turned and bowed respectfully to the speaker.
“…Were you not asleep?”
“The older you get, the less you sleep at night. Hehe…”
“…”
“Though you’re young—you shouldn’t have that problem. Why leave so early? If I recall, you still have four days left.”
“…I received approval.”
“From your grandfather?”
“Yes.”
The Immortal Healer nodded. In that case, it was fine.
“You were looking for me?” the woman asked.
“Yes. I had a feeling you would leave… and it seems I was right.”
“…”
The Immortal Healer studied her for a moment, then pulled something from his pocket and tossed it to her.
Tap.
She caught it lightly. It was a reasonably sized charm pouch.
“Ah.”
She let out a short sound of recognition after inspecting it.
“I’ve told you and your grandfather,” the elder continued. “The power you hold is too strong. I couldn’t block all of it.”
“…”
“Though because of that, you’ve become more human…”
“I am human.”
Her curt reply made the Immortal Healer’s expression shift slightly. He realized his mistake.
With a bitter smile, he went on, “Right, that was a slip of the tongue. My apologies…”
“No… it’s fine.”
“I see… I’ve given you enough to last the winter. Take them at least once a week.”
“…Thank you.”
She bowed again, grateful for his care. She knew how much effort he had put into helping her.
As she slipped the charm pouch into her pocket, the Immortal Healer asked, “Do you plan to go with the boy from the Taeryung Clan?”
“…”
“I can tell from your expression. No need to answer.”
The Immortal Healer’s face soured. The young man was handsome, talented, from a respected family, and courteous—yet for some reason, the elder didn’t care for him.
Then another face came to mind.
That yellow bastard was rude, but likable.
It had been about two years since he’d met the fierce-looking youth from the household of flames. He’d been troubled by the boy’s world-weary expression, yet the fact that he still remembered him meant the young man had left a good impression.
And…
It’s probably the same for this child.
Suppressing a sigh, the Immortal Healer reflected that a child caught up in the affairs of old men was far from fortunate. Knowing that, he had made a point of seeking her out at midnight.
“Be careful.”
“Thank you.”
Once more, she showed her respect, then resumed walking.
Seasons had changed many times over, and winter had come again.
…Will I really see him this time?
As she pressed forward, she felt more nervous than excited. The seasons had shifted, the world had changed, and she had changed as well.
Would… he recognize her?
The thought made her anxious, but more than that, she was eager to see him again. She quickened her pace.
Her destination was Henan.